The 2018 forecast

The concept of blinds, shutters and awnings as an extension of your interior décor is gaining momentum in the design world, so it’s useful to know where you should be focusing your attention.

Image Blinds has been a leading Brisbane blind company and expert in high-quality window furnishings and styling for 30 years. Image Blinds general manager Janelle Harmston has personally seen her fair share of trends come and go. So, before we ask Janelle to forecast trends for 2018, let’s look back on 2017 and what has been on-trend in window blinds so far.

“With the heat and our sunny climate, roller blinds were absolutely huge in 2017,” Janelle says. “A lot of customers opted for duo options in fabrics, with both a sun screen and block-out screen for flexibility and privacy.”

Janelle also notes that shutters became more accessible and affordable in 2017, allowing customers to finally make their dream of owning shutters a reality. With different styles and neutral colours like white, timbers and black, there is a shutter option to work with every style décor.

“In general, blinds and shutters have become a very decorative commodity as there are so many options and colours,” Janelle says.

When it came to colour, Janelle says that many customers went dark in 2017 – a trend that she envisions lasting well into 2018. Black, charcoals and shades of grey are wildly popular, chosen for their durability and style.

“Colour is a very personal choice, and we offer an extensive colour range for this very reason,” Janelle says. “Dark greys and black were the most popular in 2017, and with Taubmans announcing ‘Black Flame’ as the colour of 2018, I can see this trend sticking around for quite some time.”

Another trend that has been gaining serious traction recently, which Janelle predicts will become huge next year, is the creative use of honeycomb blinds. Suitable for a lot of different windows, Janelle has seen them used in skylights or to play with natural light and window space.

“Honeycomb blinds have come in and out of fashion in years gone by, but I can definitely see them having a resurgence in 2018.”

Feeling inspired? Before you step into the wide world of window furnishings, have a think about what you’re looking for. How can you tie shutters in with your interior décor? Which fabrics will help your outdoor awning withstand sunny days and wild weather? Are you opting for trendy or timeless?

With free measure and quote available to all customers, Image Blinds can help bring your vision to life. Why not checkout the showroom to see everything Image Blinds has to offer.